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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 23, 2024·
If budget is a primary concern, the Dell S2721QS offers good value, particularly for digital photo editing and general productivity given its 4K resolution and color accuracy. On the other hand, for an immersive gaming and media experience with superior contrast and color performance, the MSI MPG 491CQP excels, especially for HDR content. Be aware though, the MSI monitor's ultrawide format and higher cost demand consideration. The Dell, while cost-effective, isn't suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption and has lower refresh rates, affecting gaming smoothness. If high-end gaming and media viewing is a priority and the price isn't an issue, the MSI is a compelling option. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Dell S2721QS (IPS)
- Good for productivity
- Very good text clarity
- Very good image clarity
Advantages of the MSI MPG 491CQP (QD-OLED)
- Best in class for casual gaming
- Best in class for media consumption
- Best in class contrast
- Best in class brightness
- Best in class color volume
- Best in class response time
Key differences
Casual Gaming
5.9
9.9
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
5120 x 1440
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
1221:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
Inf:1
373 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
1000 nits
386 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
Unknown
85.2 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
99.0 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
The MSI MPG 491CQP (QD-OLED) is best in class for casual gaming, while the Dell S2721QS (IPS) is poor.
Competitive Gaming
4.9
5.5
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
14.5 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
0.0 ms
40 - 60 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
48 - 144 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
373 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
1000 nits
The MSI MPG 491CQP (QD-OLED) and Dell S2721QS (IPS) are both poor for competitive gaming, though the MSI MPG 491CQP (QD-OLED) is somewhat better.
Productivity
7.9
5.8
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
5120 x 1440
164 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
108 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S2721QS (IPS) is good for productivity, while the MSI MPG 491CQP (QD-OLED) is poor.
Media Consumption
6.7
9.8
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
5120 x 1440
1221:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
Inf:1
373 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
1000 nits
386 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
Unknown
Matte
COATING
Matte
The MSI MPG 491CQP (QD-OLED) is best in class for media consumption, while the Dell S2721QS (IPS) is only fair.
Cost
$230
$1,100
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Dell S2721QS (IPS) has a price of $230 and the MSI MPG 491CQP (QD-OLED) costs $1,100.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
Yes
The Dell S2721QS (IPS) is not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption while the MSI MPG 491CQP (QD-OLED) is suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
Yes
The Dell S2721QS (IPS) is not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading while the MSI MPG 491CQP (QD-OLED) is suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
Yes
The Dell S2721QS (IPS) is not suitable for print photo editing while the MSI MPG 491CQP (QD-OLED) is suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell S2721QS (IPS) and MSI MPG 491CQP (QD-OLED) are suitable for digital photo editing.
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How the Dell S2721QS (IPS) and the MSI MPG 491CQP (QD-OLED) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell S2721QS (IPS) | MSI MPG 491CQP (QD-OLED) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$230 | $1,100 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 27" | 49" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3840 x 2160 | 5120 x 1440 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | OLED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | IPS | QD-OLED | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 1221:1 | Inf:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 373 nits | 1000 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 386 nits | Unknown | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | No | Yes | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 100 % | 146 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 14.5 ms | 0.03 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 40 - 60 Hz | 48 - 144 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 5/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 6/10 | 10/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 164 PPI | 108 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 8.1/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 8.1/10 | 7/10 | |
PORTS & CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
HDMI 1.4 Ports | |||
HDMI 1.4 Ports | 0 | 0 | |
HDMI 2.0 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.0 Ports | 2 | 0 | |
HDMI 2.1 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.1 Ports | 0 | 2 | |
Micro HDMI Ports | |||
Micro HDMI Ports | 0 | 0 | |
DisplayPort 1.2 Ports | |||
DisplayPort 1.2 Ports | 1 | 0 | |
Shopping
Dell S2721QS (IPS)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Hardware
Scharon Harding | September 2021
"The Dell S2721QS 4K monitor brings IPS-level colors and some handy features, like a versatile stand with height adjustments and picture-in-picture for connecting dual systems. But don’t get it for HDR."
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About the monitor team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Monitors Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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